• 2 x full-time ongoing positions (part time considered)
• Salary range: $87,799 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is looking for two dedicated lawyers to join our Ballarat team. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a diverse and committed group of professionals, making a positive impact on the justice system and supporting vulnerable clients.

1x Lawyer (Criminal Law and Family Violence)

As a Lawyer in this role, you'll provide legal services including duty lawyer support, casework (both summary and indictable), and advice, with a primary focus on criminal law and family violence. You'll advocate for clients in various courts and tribunals and help improve access to justice for those who need it most.

1x Lawyer (Drug Court)

In this role, you'll provide high-quality legal services, representing clients involved in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders and other related legal matters. You'll advocate in court, deliver casework, offer legal advice, and conduct outreach services, including for clients in custody or in remote areas. 

There is a strong focus on advocacy in this role where you have the opportunity to appear in bail applications, pleas, sentence hearings, screening hearings, review hearings and applications to cancel. The role is based between the Ballarat office and the Ballarat Therapeutic Recovery Centre where you will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver duty lawyer services in the Ballarat Drug Court.

Both positions may involve outreach services across the Ballarat region, including Ararat and Bacchus Marsh, with travel requirements to serve clients in these areas. You will work closely with and be supported by a Senior Lawyer mentor and will report to a Deputy Managing Lawyer.

These roles are based at our Ballarat office on Wathaurung Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience representing clients in court, providing legal advice, and managing casework in criminal law, family violence, and related matters.
• Knowledge of criminal law, family violence, and/or Drug Court matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise effectively with clients, staff, and external partners.
• A collaborative approach, working well with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

Why Ballarat?

• Our office is just over an hour drive from Melbourne and Geelong.
• All the amenities of a city, without the extended commute to work.
• Professional development opportunities through exposure to multiple practice areas including crime, child protection, family violence, family law and civil justice.
• Opportunity to deliver community legal education with legal staff and other specialist roles.
• Feel a sense of connectedness and community from working in regional Australia.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance
• Relocation allowance if relocating for the role

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please click "Apply Now" and submit your current resume and a completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team via [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyers x2 - Criminal Law and Family Violence / Drug Court - Ballarat enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Kirsty DeVercelli, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 5329 6245 or [email protected].

No agency applications will be accepted.

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.